Thanks Iris! I got 3 pink and 3 red pentas lancelotas today to add to it. Once it fills in a little I'll post more pics here.

When I lived in Ohio along the Scioto river, I had herds of whitetails in my yard every evening. I found that planting herbs and marigolds around the edge of the garden helped deter them. Also, "Repels all" sprinkled around the plants helps deter the rabbits. Good luck, can't wait to see pictures.

Rhonda

Oh, you are going to enjoy this new garden! It looks great and being in Florida, it won't be long at all before you have blooms galore and lots of interesting wildlife visiting your welcoming garden. What a treat for you guys and for the wildlife.

Mary

Thanks Mary! I keep telling myself to not plant any more so they have room to mature but every time I go out I find something I must have lol

I guess it's my excitement over being able to garden in a frost free zone :)

Rhonda

Whew! I'm tired just seeing all the work you've done, Rhonda! (Every time I type your name I start singing in my head, "Help me Rhonda, help help me Rhonda, help me Rhonda, help help me Rhonda......")

Joe's description of your new home is so romantic - 'love it!

You mentioned not being able to find salvias. If you don't plant another plant in your garden, I'd recommend that you plant 'Amistad' salvia. I bought one a few years ago and consider it one of my best plants. It blooms continually, it's a hummingbird and sulphur butterfly favorite, gets big but not too big, doesn't need staking, makes real big dark purple flowers, comes through every winter here easily (not a problem in south Florida) and roots about as easily as any plant I've rooted. I rooted a piece last year and planted it in the center of a reworked bed. It's growing rapidly and has made its first flower buds. You can order it from a variety of nurseries, probably can't buy it locally (maybe you can) but it's well worth it. You'll likely be getting orange barred and cloudless sulphurs that would just love it.

Having praised it to the skies, it's possible that under frost-free south Florida conditions and not having to start over every spring, it might grow too tall. You could just prune it back - it has a strong trunk, nothing like Mexican sunflowers with the hollow, weak stems.

Congratulations! 'Hope you get lots of butterflies!

Sherry

Sherry,

Thanks! OMG...I heard that song non-stop while growing up.

Joe said to tell you thanks. He's a good story teller and loves to read, as you can tell.

I do have 2 scraggly amistads, but I'd like more. I'll probably order them as you suggested.

I still haven't seen a butterfly using the garden. In fact, haven't seen one even flying around the neighborhood....little disappointing. Especially since before I planted it there were 2 monarchs fluttering around. Oh well...patience :)

Rhonda

Sherry,

On the way home yesterday I stopped at a favorite nursery outside of Ocala. They had Amistad! They were nice, healthy 1 gallon pots for $5.99. I got 5 :) I also picked up 4 1 gallon salvia splendens "Faye Chapel" for only $4.49 each. I was so thrilled!

Rhonda